Well pumping control



0t 5, 1954 B. H. URMANN ETAL 2,690,713

WELL PUMPING CONTROL Filed July 12, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 l u: Il Ill:| l

lll I i lluzd lede] Ittornegs Oct. l5, 1954 Filed July l2, 1950 mulllllll ||||||||Il|| |||IIIIHIH B. H. URMANN EVAL WELL PUMPING CONTROL 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 y 37 fles en/alma [fr/7267212 Tfzessen Gttomegs Oct 5', 1954 B. H. URMANN@ ETAL WELL PUMPING CONTROL 4 Sheets-Sheet I5*- Filed July 12. 1950 Snventors ,Ben Iam??? A( Wmann Gtfornegs 0t- 5 1954 B. H. URMANN ETAI. 2,690,713

WELL PUMPING CONTROL Filed July 12, 195o 4 sheets-sheet 4 v r i Gttornegs Patented Oct. 5, 1954 WELL PUMPING CONTROL Benjamin H. Urmann, Ridgeway, and Albert J. -Whitehill yand Wayne H. Thessen, Bradford, Pa.; said .Urmann assigner to said Thessen Application. J uly'12, 1950, Serial No. '173,342

(Cl. 10B-25,)

14 Claims. l

This invention relates to well pumping control.

The invention is particularly adaptable for the control of so-called non-flowing Wells. The'particular type of well is the drilled type and wherein the conventional casing, tubing, sucker rods, valves and pumping mechanisms, etc. .are putilized. The pumping control embodied in this invention is adaptable for use in combination with the aforesaid conventional component elements of a Well and the pumping mechanisms therefor. The purpose of the present invention is to automatically initiate the pumping :operation oi the well and to continue the same yso long as there is a supply of oil or other liquid available in the well and, when such supply has been pumped to automatically discontinue the pumping operation, and wherein such yautomatic starting and stopping yof the pumping operation is controlled by and depends upon the `presence or absence of liquid in the well to -be pumped.

There have been many attempts to provide some means or mechanism to automatically `set into operation the pumping lof a 'Well or lwells. One of such attempts is Aby ,means of va timer such as a clockwork mechanism which can 'be preset to effect a pumping operation of a well through one or more cycles of operation ofthe timing mechanism. These operating -cycles .for the pumping of the wells, therefore, take place whether or not there is any rliquid .in .the Well to be pumped. Under these circumstances, of course, power for operating the pumping mechanism is being utilized and wasted and, vmoreover, when the pumping mechanism is in operation and there is no oil or vwater or .other liquid available in the Well to be pumped, this has a very detrimental effect on future rproduction of the well. In a situation where a well or wells are adjacent the border of two adjoining oil bearing fields, and assuming that a Well or Wells had accumulated'oil therein that should have been pumped and was not '.pumped, then, as aforesaid, this oil in .the vparticular strata bearing the oil sands or the like, would then be available to and flow into the well 'or wells on the adjoining property where such wells are in operation. Thus, the owner of the property would be deprived of the oil that had accumulated in the well and was not pumpedand this is what happens in connection with the timingcom trol operation of wells.

Devices, such as floats Yand pumps have `heretofore been vpositioned withina :drilledwell and purportedly 4for the purpose of automatically rdetermining when the well should be pumped and when oil, of course, is present. The difficulty experienced with these two types of well pumping control is that, primarily, it is rather difficult, if not impossible, to jprovide a oat that would be efficient several hundreds of feet below the ground surface to control thepumping operating mechanism for the Awell and, moreover, the problem exists as to how to protect the float from being blown u p -or collapsed in view of the pressure that exists within the well.

There have been many attempts to control the well pumping operations and, -while all of the attempts previously made are partially satisfactory, there are many objections thereto.

We have vprovided a device which consists of a minimum number of cooperating component elements and where there are a relatively few movable parts. Our device consists of a single unit that is lreadily associated with the ,tubing of the well or vpositionedaoljacent the tubing of the Well. This device, as aforesaid, is a single unit and rmay be sealed, preset ras to be operated by -a predetermined pressure within the well. The device is electrically and mechanically or otherwise associated with the well pumping voperating mechanism and, when positioned in the well, automatically controls the functioning lof the well pumping apparatus or mechanism.

The-device is initiated by the pressure conditions within Ythe well and, only under such circumstances, where oil or other liquid has accumulated ,in a .sufficient quantity to call for a setting `into operation the said well pumping mechanism, and this is accomplished rautomatically and when the accumulated supply of oil or other liquid has been pumped from the well, the device then will automatically discontinue kthe operation of therwell pumping mechanism or apparatus and this pumping operation and discontinuing of the same is repeated automatically when the presence of oil in the well sets the device into operation to effect `the control of the well pumping mechanism or apparatus, andlil wise, accomplishes the reverse vin discontinuing the operation l,when Athe liquid supply has been pumped from the well.

The size and shape of our unitary `well pumping control unit or device is such that it may be readily positioned in or removed from a well as the case demands. The ydevice includes ce1'- tain sealed instrumentalities which are in ycooperative :relationship with one another so as to eiect an electrical .control of the Well pumping apparatus or mechanism. This electrical con- 3 trol is initiated solely by the presence of a liquid in the Well that is to be pumped. In the absence of any liquid in the Well, the device and the electrical control are in an inoperative condition.

With the above in mind, it is an object of our invention to provide a device for controlling the pumping of wells, which mechanism is placed within the Well and is connected with the pumping operating mechanism exteriorly of the well, and is set into operation by the presence of sufncient liquid within the well that is to be pumped.

Another object of our invention is the provision ci means placed within a Well which automatically controls the well pumping apparatus exteriorly of the well, and which means is solely initiated by pressure conditions within the well, which determine whether or not the well pumping mechanism is operating or inoperative.

Another object of our invention is to provide a device for controlling the pumping operation g of a well, which device includes a sealed component element, which element is caused to function by the pressure conditions within a Well and where a liquid supply has accumulated therein, and this component element, in turn, effecting operation of electrical means in a circuit and which circuit includes the well pump operating mechanism so that when the said sealed component element functions, the electric circuit is controlled, and when liquid has accumulated, the circuit is closed and the well pumping is functioning and, in the absence of liquid, the circuit is open and the Well pumping mechanism is inoperative.

Another object of our invention is to provide a device for automatically controlling the Well pumping apparatus or mechanism, and which device and its cooperative component elements are such that it is suiciently rigid to withstand handling and connecting and disposing or the same Within the well, and that the said device and the component elements possess such inherent characteristics as to prevent any accidental dislocation or rupturing of the elements due to handling and/or pressure conditions within the well.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims hereto appended, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportions, and minor details of constructions, within the scope of the claims, may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacricing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a View in elevation showing our device positioned in a Well.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the lines 2-2 of Fig. l;

3 is a vertical sectional view taken sub stantially along the lines 3 3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. e is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the lines 4 4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an elevational View of the device with the casing removed;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one component element of the device;

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially along the lines '1 -'I of Fig. l;

Fig. 8 is a modification of the device;

Fig. 9 is an elevational view similar to Fig. 1 showing a further modification of the device;

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic illustration of the electrical circuit in which our device is included and the circuit also including the motor for operating the well pumping mechanism or apparatus; and

Fig. ll is an elevational view of a tank for a liquid or air under pressure, and which tank is utilized to preset the device referred to in the other figures of the drawings.

The invention will be more readily understood by referring to the drawings in detail wherein the same numerals or characters used in the several gures all denote the same parts or component elements.

In Figs. 1 and 9 of the drawings, there is disclosed a conventional drilled well. The depth of the drilled well is indefinite in that the same varies depending upon the geological formation and the depth to which the well is drilled to reach an oil bearing strata. The different strata of the earth is denoted by the numerals I through 6 and, of course, the stratas of earth vary in the dif ferent regions of the country. As shown, the oil bearing strata is denoted at 4 and it is in this oil bearing strata of earth that the enlarged shot hole T is formed in the conventional manner. Above the shot hole and connected therewith, there is a substantially cylindrical bore 8 and, likewise, below and connected with this shot hole there is a substantially cylindrical pocket 9.

After the well has been drilled or otherwise formed and the shot hole formed therein in the oil bearing strata of earth, the usual and conventional drive pipes, casing, tubing, sucker rods, etc. are placed within the well. The drive pipe, which is the uppermost pipe in the Well, is denoted at I0 and the top thereof ordinarily extends slightly above the surface of the earth. Concentrically arranged within this drive pipe, and in spaced relation thereto, the casing I I is inserted, and concentrically within this casing Il and in spaced relation thereto, the tubing I2 is positioned. It is understood, of course, that the drive pipe and the casing may be in the form of end to end connected sections and, likewise, the tubing I2 is in the form of end to end sections, and Which sections are secured together by a plurality or series of interiorly screw threaded conventional couplings I3. A working barrel I4 is con nected adjacent the end of the tubing I2 by means of a coupling I5 and below this working barrel and connected therewith is a perforated substantially cylindrical pipe or strainer I6. Our device indicated generally at D for controlling the well pumping operating mechanism is connected with the perforated strainer I6 by means of a coupling I 'I and a so-called anchor I8 which is in the form of a perforated cylindrical pipe which acts as a strainer is connected at I9 with the said device. A plug 20 closes the free end of the anchor I8 and it will be noted that the free end of this anchor extends above and in spaced relation to the bottom 2I of the pocket 9.

There is a usual cap or head of the well 22 which is mounted on the end of the casing II that extends above the surface of the earth. The sucker or pumping rods 23 that are connected in a series and which, of course, are conventional well appurtenances, are disposed within the tubing I2 concentrically and in spaced relation therewith. On the end of the lowermost sucker rod 23 in the well, there is an interiorly screw threaded socket 24 into which the exteriorly Screw threaded stud 25 at the upper end of the conventional sliding valve 26 is secured. This sliding valve 26 operates in the working barrel I4, the interior surface of which barrel is machined and smooth. The valve 26 -includes the usual series of spaced cup washers 21 and the usual valve cage 28 and valve seat 29 and the ball valve 33. Also disposed in the working barrel I4 is the conventional standing valve 3| and this valve, too, includes the usual cup washers 32, valve cage 33, valve seat 34 and the ball valve 35. This valve 3l is, of course, stationary in the working barrel I4 and is maintained at its lower end 36 on an inwardly projecting seat 31 that is either integral-with or applied to the interior of the lower portion of the working barrel I4.

In Fig. 10, thereis diagrammatically illustrated a conventional wiring diagram and well pumping operating mechanism. The wiring circuit is the usual or conventional three-phase system and includes the three wires 38, 39 and 43 and the connected multiple manually operable switch 4 I, the solenoid 42 for operating the solenoid controlled multiple switch 43 and which includes a spring 44. The circuit additionally includes wires 45 and .46 in which suitable fuses 41 are utilized in connection with the transformer 48 and another manually operable switch 49 and a micro switch 50. The three wires 38, 39 and lli! are connected with an electric motor M. This electric motor is supported on a platform P and the motor has on its shaft a pulley 5I preferably of the V-type with a V-type belt 52 trained thereover and also over another pulley 53 which is supported on the bracket 54 and includes a shaft on which gear 55 is mounted and -which gear 55,

in turn, engages a relatively larger gear 56 and s:

which gear has concentrically attached there-to a crank arm 51 and one end 58 of this crank arm is attached to a walking beam or jack 59 which is pivotally mounted at 60 to a supporting structure 6I which supporting structure, in turn, is mounted on and carried by the platform vP. There is a counterbalance weight E2 that is adjustably mounted at one end of the walking beam 59 and, at the other end, there is a head 59 that connects with the pumping or sucker rod 23.

The foregoing elements, the electrical circuit and the cocperable means for effecting the pumping operation, as well as the formation of the well, are all well-known and conventional except for the micro switch 50 which is referred to specifically hereinafter.

Our device for controlling the well pumping operating mechanism indicated generally at D consists of an elongated substantially cylindrical exterior casing or housing 63, one end 34 of which is exteriorly screw threaded and the other end portion thereof is preferably reduced in cross section and is, likewise, exteriorly screw threaded as at 68. The coupling I1, which is screw threadedly engaged with the perforated strainer pipe I6, differs from the couplings I3 in that it includes a solid partition I1 substantially intermediate its ends and this coupling is interiorly screw threaded as at 61 and receives therein the exterior screw threads 66 of the reduced end portion S5 of the housing 63 and closes that end of the device D. Of course, the couplings I3 are hollow and have no partition therein. An interiorly threaded elongated coupling v68 has a portion of its threads engaged with the exterior thread Bil on the lower end of the housing kor casing 63. Within this interiorly screw threaded coupling $8, there is disposed a counterbore plug 69 which has an exterior portion thereof 10 provided with screwthreads anda continuing exterior :portion thereof 1I :that is preferably knurled or otherwise roughened so as to faiford a grip thereon. This plug 69V has vone portion thereof 12 counterbored and interiorly screw threaded and this screw threaded formation is substantially centrally of the plug. There is a recess 13 defined centrally of the plug and this recess terminates in an opening 14 preferably of less diameter than the said recess and the walls of this opening 14 are interiorly screw threaded as at 15. The plug 69 has an upper fiat seating surface 15 which is substantially circular in outline. rIhis surface 13 has thereon a ring-like sealing washer 11.

A unitary devicedenoted generally at 1S, and which includes a valve body denoted generally at 13, is associated with the plug B9 as hereinafter more fully described. 'This unitary device 1B includes a valve B0 which has mounted vin its face a non-corrosive ring-like seal 8 I This valve Se is substantially circular in outline and it is provided centrally thereof with an opening vS2 through which opening the extreme exteriorly screw threaded end 83 which is integral with the valve stem 84 at one end thereof passes, and the opening S2 is interiorly screw threaded and secured on the exteriorly screw threaded end 83 of this valve stem. The valve stem 8d is elongated and, at its upper end 85, is reduced in cross section and exteriorly screw threaded. A collapsible and expansible type bellows 86, and which includes a head 31, is rlxedly secured to the valve stem 84, as by welding or in any other manner, not shown. The lower portion 88 of the bellows 86 is welded or otherwise secured to the top surface `89 of a polygonal tting 90 and which fitting includes a reduced exteriorly screw threaded portion 9| and, at the extreme free end of this screw threaded portion Si, there is an inclined or conical valve seat 92 which cooperates with the sealing surface 3i of the valve 30. A `coil spring S` surrounds the exposed portion 93 of the valve stem 8d concentrically and in spaced relation therewith and one end ed of this spring is seated in the recess R in the head 81 of the bellows while the other end 35 thereof engages the underneath side of an abutment 98, and which abutment has substantially centrally thereof an opening 91.

The abutment S6 is iixedly positioned in and carried by a frame that consists of elongated spaced bars or straps or the like 93, se and me. Each of these bars is iiXedly secured by means of screw threaded bolts or the like lill in different diametric positions about a boss H32 that is integral with the plug 53 and is upstanding substantially centrally thereof` The abutment 95 is secured to the said bars or straps by means of suitable screw threaded bolts H33 and this abutment is above the coil spring S, see Figs. 2 and 5. The upper ends H04 of the said straps or bars are each secured by means of screw threaded bolts |05 to a rigid disc |63, and which disc is of substantially the same diameter as the boss E93. Thus, the said bars or straps or the like 93, Si) and HB5 being of rigid metal 'or the like, are, therefore, rigidly connected with, supported on or carried by the plug t3. The upper portion 93 of the valve stem 84 passes through and bevond the opening 91 in the abutment 95 secured to the screw threaded end portion thereof there are suitable interiorly screw threaded adjustment stop nuts Illi and Hi8. vA switch operating arm 39, which is a substantially flatstrip of .metal or :the like, lis slottedas at 1Iii,;and.0ne

end thereof |||Y is at a substantially right angle thereto and is provided with an opening |I2 through which the screw threaded reduced end portion 85 of the valve stem 8d of the valve projects. The adjustable stop members Il and IS grip upper and lower faces of the right angularly extending portion I I i of the switch operating arm |09. This switch operating arm |09 is slidably carried on the fra-me member |60.

Suitable studs H3 have their ends ||4 swaged or otherwise xedly disposed in openings in the frame member le@ and these studs extend laterally from this frame member or at a right angle thereto in vertically spaced relationship and each stud has a coil spring I I5 ccncentrically thereabout, and one end of each of these coil springs bears against a washer I I6 and the other end of each spring bears against a similar washer IIT and each of these last mentioned washers is maintained in position with respect to the stud by means of cotter keys or the like ||8 which pass through openings IIS in the studs. Thus, the switch operating arm SEIS is frictionally maintained against the confronting dat surface of the frame strap member The extreme upper end |26 of the switch operating arm ISS is turned slightly inwardly and is disposed in the path of the flat spring arm I2! that is integrally attached to the micro-switch 53. This micro-switch 5@ is nxedly attached to a depending bracket |22 that is integral with the top disc frame element |06 and in which member there is a centrally disposed opening |24. One end |2 of an electrical conductor E26 is electrically connected with the micro-switch 5G and this electrical conductor may be wound about or otherwise secured as at |27 to the upwardly extending part |28 of the frame member itil. The portions of the casing or housing S3 above the micro-switch and the frame that carries the saine, is preferably recessed at 29 and this recess has an opening IS therein through which the conductor |26 extends and this conductor is held in the recess by means of a split compressible plug i3 that is mounted on the said conductor and engaged in the recess.

In order to prevent the cable from becoming entangled with cur device or the other component elements when inserting the same in the well, or while it is disposed therein, or in removing the same therefrom, there is preferably provided a plurality of substantially disc-like combined spacer and cable holding members |32 which can be split, if desired, but if not, the same simply are positioned about the sections of the tubing adjacent the couplings I3 and |5. These spacers are provided with cut-out portions |33 substantially of keyhole formation and of suihcient size so that the conductor |26 can be deposited therein, and this conductor is held in the said slot by means of a split and tapered plug |34 which surrounds the cable and which plug, of course, enters into the said slot. The combined spacer and conductor holding disc may be held in nxed association with the well tubing in any suitable manner and a wedge |35 that engages in the opening |353 and a portion of the wall of the tubing E2 serve effectively to maintain these discs in their proper position. The cable extends up to and out of the head or cap of the well, of course, and is connected in the wiring diagram illustrated in Fig. l0.

An expansion tube denoted generally at |31 is connected with the plug Sii of the device. This expansion tube includes two connected legs |38 8 and |39 and the bottom thereof is closed at |41! and has a removable plug |4I screw threadedly positioned therein. The upper end of the expansion tube is screw threaded as at |42 and this screw threaded end is interengaged with the screw threads 'I5 in the opening i4 of the plug 69. This expansion tube, as will be seen in Fig. 3, extends into the perforated anchor I8 and the closed bottom |40 thereof is spaced above the plug 20. A liquid such as used in hydraulic braking systems or any suitable liquid is entered into the expansion tube |31 by means of inverting the same and pouring through the opening closed by the plug |4I. This liquid, whether it be inserted in the expansion tube or whether it be the oil or water or any other liquid in the pocket in the well, serves as hereinafter more fully described to effect functioning of our device.

In the modification of the invention as depicted in Fig. 8 of the drawings, the bellows assembly |43 is used in place of the pressure tube assembly IS?. This bellows assembly consists oi opposite caps |44 and |45. The cap M4 to which one end of the bellows is secured as by welding, soldering or the like, or in any other suitable manner, has a hollow bored shank M6 therethrough and the exterior part Ifil of this shank is exteriorly screw threaded and these screw threads engage in the screw threads 'I5 in the plug 68. The cap |45 is secured to the other end of the bellows as by welding, soldering, etc. and it, too, has a central bore or passageway |48 therein and a part of which is interiorly screw threaded at |49 and closed by an exteriorly screw threaded plug |50.

It is evident, therefore, that we may either utilize the pressure tube |31 which, incidentally, is open at one end as at |31', or the bellows assembly |113 as shown in Fig. B, as either of these devices is interchangeable. In utilizing the bellows assembly |43, the liquid, of course, is introduced through the opening M9 and is sealed and closed in this bellows |43 and also in the bellows 86. This, of course, contrasts with the pressure tube |31 which is open at one end |31'.

In the modication of the invention as depicted in Fig. 9 of the drawings, instead of connecting our device for controlling the well pumping operating mechanism in the tubing line l2, here, we simply connect our device D in a separate line of tubing |5I and which separate line of tubing substantially parallels the well tubing I2. In utilizing the invention as shown in Fig. 9, the anchor I 52 at the bottom of the tubing is simply o greater length than that shown in Fig. l, but there is an anchor |53 that is attached by means of the coupling |5 to our device D and this anchor is perforated as at |55. It is understood that the device D shown in Fig. 9v contains all of the cooperative component elements and the various instrumentalities that have been described in connection with Figs. l through G, and that the device as shown in Fig. 9 functions in precisely the same manner as the same does in connection with the device as shown and described in connection with Fig. i through 6, both inclusive. In utilizing the separate pipe line 15|, as shown in Fig. 9, however, the electrical cable or conductor |26 is connected with the microswitch 5G and extends throughout the length of this tubing |5| and beyond the upper end thereof and is connected in the circuit as disclosed in Fig. 10 and hereinbefore described. The pipe line |5| may, of course, include the necessary couplings |5| for thevsections constituting this said pipe line.

In Fig. l1, there is disclosed a container |55 which may be cylindrical or of any other outline and hollow, of course. This container is supported on and carried by a base |51. Extending outwardly from the container, there is a conventional valve stem |53 Within which there is the usual Schrader tire valve, not shown. The top |59 of the container is, of course, closed, and extending upwardly therefrom, there is an integral hollow nipple |59 into which the short extension of pipe |E| is screw threaded. The free end |62 of this pipe |S| is exteriorly screw threaded and the screw threads are of the same circumference and pitch so as to be received and connected with the screw threads i5 in the opening 'I4 of the plug 69 for a purpose hereinafter described. Additionally, the container |56 carries an air pressure gage its thereon. This container |56 is adaptedk to contain air under pressure. The air is entered thereinto through the valve stem |53 and the amount of pressure that isvbuilt up isindicated on the pressure gage |63. Aix" under pressure is forced into the said container |56 from any suitable source and, when the screw threadsL |82 are engaged in the said screw threads 'i5 of the plug 6e, and, of course, before the device is inserted within a Well, the desired amount of air pressure as indicated by the gage |63 is thereby released against the valve 8G, which valve is open due to the pressure of spring S against the bellows Se, this being a downward pressure when the device is viewed as in Fig. 2. By means of this air pressure released from the container |55, therefore, and assuming that the adjustable stops itil and Hi8 have been released or moved away from the right angularly extendingy arm i i, the air pressure against this bellows which shows on the gage |53 is, of course, determined and this allows a predetermined setting of the switch as regards its opening and closing movements. The bellows, whenthe'device is inthe well, has pressure exerted thereon either directly from the liquid in the pressure tube |37 ory indirectly by the liquid that is sealed between the two bellows Stand |43 as seen in Fig. 8. It is thispressure'of the liquid that is placed inthe pressure tubeor between the two said bellows or the liquid from the Well itself, as regards the invention as shownin Fig. 1 and Fig. 6, that effects the operation of the valve Si).

Whenthe device, as a Whole, isinserted in the well and there is no accumulated liquid in the well to be pumped, then the valve Se is open. However, when there is an accumulation of liquid within the well to be pumped beyond the safety capacity of the bellows,y our device has functioned to initiate thestarting of the. well pumping mechanism, then this valve im, due tothe pressure of the liquid inthe well, is closed, and remains closed during the pumping period, until the pressuredrops below the safety range of the bellows. Thus, it is clear that, if there is no accumulated liquid in the well to be pumped, the valve 80 is open and there is no action whatsoever imparted from this valve to the switchoperating rod andto the micro-switch 50 and there isr no pumping operation whatsoever, but, as the liquidbuilds up or accumulates in the shotfhole 'lof the well, above theliquid levelindicated in Fig. 1, then the pressure of that' accumulated liquid will causeV the bellows to compress. Consequentlyg, upon. upward. mavement onthe. valve stemy r and a correspondingmovement of the switchoperating arm |99, this switch operating arm effects. operation of the micro-switch 5t which is in the=circuit,.as shown in Fig. 10, and, thus, the pumping apparatus or mechanism is brought into action to perform the pumping of the well;

Reference to. liquid n= the specification and claims, of course, means either oil or Water or a combination of same that may be in the well and, of course, the chemical ingredients that are present in or along with the water or oil.

From the foregoing, it is clear. that, if the wellpumping operating mechanism, as disclosed in Fig; l0, is supplied with electrical current through thecircuitand there is an excessive accumulation of liquidwithin the shot hole l, the valve 88, under such circumstances, will be closed andthe micro-switch Fffi will have beenoperated and this switch being in the aforesaid electrical circuit, will allow theY electric motor M to operate and, in turn, throughthe crank connection to the walking beam, will effect pumping of the'well by means of reciprocatien-.of the suckerrods 23. Incidentally, duringihek pumping cperaticn, on the downstroke of the sliding valve'', the ball valve 3% will be in the-upperV part of the cage and consequently, off ofthe valve seat 2B ;'where as, theball valve 35 inthe standing valve 3iy will be on its seat 34 and, consequently, closed, and the reverse takes place when the sliding valve 25' movesupwardly in the barrel iii; namely, that the valve 35 will be off of its seat 3l?) whereas the valve 353' in the sliding valve 25 will be on its seat 29; Thus, the oil, water or other liquid is pumped up through the tubing i2.

tflias been'. mentioned hereinbefore thev diniculty of preventing detrimental and injurious effects upon the' prior" art devices for controlling the pumping of wells. In cormection` with our invention, such; injurious andv detrimental effects are positively overcome in that the bursting or blowing up of. the.l bellows 86 and the other'bellows |431. and any of. the valve mechanism, is prevented. This is accomplished, as aforesaid, during the: pumping operatioinwhen excess1pressure exists, because7 the valve l isclosed. and, thus, no pressure within the wellis allowed to enter either'of, these bellows and, consequently, cannot disrupt or blow the same. Thisprovides ak safety'measure againstany blowing out of the bellows or the valve parts associated therewith. it wiil be readily seen that, the valve @Si were not' provided, the liquid'pressure within'theV well, due to anI accumulation oiv liquid therein, would disrupt and blow outthis bellows and, consequently, the control device would, therefore, not perform'. its function for controlling the well pumping operating mechanism;

t is evident-that wehave constructeda novel unitaryl devicefor 'controlling wellI pumping operating mechanisms andV that thesaid device can be associated` either directly in the line of tubing in the' well or canl be` positionedseparately Aand distinct apart from this tubing in the well, as shown in Fig. 9 of the drawings. Then, tcoour device is such that the main component elements thereof can readily be prefabricated and all associated together and, as such, readily received thereabout a protective casing,.and a unit as a whole can be handled for insertion in-or removal from the well as the7 occasion demands. Additionally, we have provided the compact and novel sub-assembly ofl the bellows and spring loaded valve arrangement as showninl Fig, 6 of the drawings which, as a unit, can be associated with the device as shown in Fig. of the drawings. Wherever there are screw threaded connections in our device, the pitch of the threads is such as to form a leak-proof joint therebetween.

In addition to our device performing its function for controlling the well pumping operating mechanism, the same also functions admirably as a gas saver. This is occasioned by the fact that there is always liquid in the pocket 6 up to the indicated liquid level so this liquid, which may be oil or water or a combination of same, indicated at C, prevents the gas from entering the perforated sections I6. Thus, any accumulated gas in the well will pass out through the casing l! into the head 22 and out through the pipe E for storage or any other use that may be desired. It is to be kept in mind that, as aforesaid, there is always liquid in the pocket 6 and this prevents any outlet of gas through the tubing I2 and, consequently, keeps the gas separated from the liquid, whether it be oil or water or the like, that is being pumped from the well.

The fact that our device functions only when there is liquid to be pumped from the well prevents the pounding and detrimental action that is imparted to the sucker rods as is present in prior well pumping methods. This pumping, when there is no liquid available in the well, is detrimental in that it, after a while, crystalizes the rods and the connections between the same are broken. Thus, it is indeed advantageous to pump the well only when liquid is present or accumulated in the well. It is to be understood that our device functions whenever the liquid, such as oil or the like, accumulates in the shot hole 'I above the liquid level line indicated in Fig. 1. With our adjustable setting means of the operation of the valve 80, this valve can be set to start a pumping operation at any height of accumulation of liquid in the shot hole 'l and, of course, it is preferable to start this pumping operation from the shot hole 1 when the same is substantially full.

The seating of the valve 8U acts to provide a safety valve if the pressure in the hole should exceed the allowable carrying capacity of the bellows. This seating of the safety valve S0 enables us to use the whole structure of the bellows, from compression to expansion, for a wider range of footing or where the fluid in the hole at the time of installation exceeds the capacity of the bellows, or in the case of a power failure. In all these cases, the valve does remain open until the pressure is reached beyond the carrying capacity of the bellows and then the valve closes and shuts out any increase until the well is pumped off to the pressure drop on which the bellows and valve are set to operate. The valve 80, as an example, may be set for about 125 pounds pressure whereas the bellows may be set at 150 pounds pressure. These pressures of presetting the valve and bellows are merely exemplary and may, of course, slightly vary somewhat.

We claim:

l. A device for controlling a well pumping mechanism which includes an electrical circuit, said device being positioned in a well and including an exterior casing, an assembly consisting of a spring loaded safety valve and bellows within the said casing, and said assembly having a valve seat thereon which is adapted to be engaged by said valve, a movable mechanical means adjustably carried by said bellows and valve assembly switch connected in said electrical circuit adjacent the said means. pressure exerting means to effect movement oi said bellows, whereby when said pressure is exerted against said bellows and when liquid has accumulated in the well and under such circumstances the bellows is expanded and, in the absence of liquid, the said bellows is compressed and thus the movement of the bellows controls the operation of the well pumping mechanism by means of the said switch in the circuit.

2. A device for controlling a well pumping operating mechanism, said device being a unitary structure and including an outer casing and associated with conventional well equipment and disposed in a well, the casing carrying a movable safety valve assembly adjacent its lower end when in a well, said valve assembly having embodied therewith a bellows and there being a valve stem to which said bellows is fixed and is concentrically disposed with respect thereto, a seat for the said valve, a spring concentrically disposed about said stem and having one end thereof in engagement with the said bellows and the other end against an abutment, thus spring loading the said bellows, and normally tending to compress the said bellows and maintain the valve off of its seat, a circuit maker and breaker within the casing in adjustable spaced relationship with respect to the stem of the valve, valve adjustment means carried by the said valve stem, a connection between the said adjustment means and engageable with the said switch, the said bellows being exposed to liquid pressures within a well and in the absence of such liquid pressure said bellows will remain compressed, but when liquid pressures are present beyond the safety limits of the bellows the valve will close on the seat and effect operation of said switch, the switch being in an electrical circuit that includes the well pumping operating mechanism, and when the said switch is operated by movement of said bellows, the said mechanism is controlled so as to properly perform its function.

3. A device for controlling well pumping operating mechanism which is unitary in character and, as such, inserted in a well and subject to the pressure conditions within the well, the said device including a casing, a spring loaded bellows assembly in the casing, the bellows assembly including a valve, a valve stem and a seat for said valve, the bellows being concentrically disposed about said valve stem and exposed to the compressive forces of said spring, another bellows having liquid therein, which liquid is effective for controlling the opening and closing of said valve, the last mentioned bellows being sealed and exposed to liquid pressure conditions within a well and when this last mentioned bellows is collapsed due to the presence of suicient liquid pressures within the well, the valve will be maintained on its seat and the first mentioned bellows which is normally partially collapsed by the pressure of said spring will be expanded and under compression of the said spring.

4. A device for controlling well pumping operating mechanism positioned within a well and attached in a tubing line of the well, the well having a shot hole therein and a pocket in communication therewith and therebelow, the said device being positioned in the said pocket, the well operating mechanism including an elecaccable trical circuit connected with an adjustable circuit maker and breaker carried by said device, a spring loaded bellows and safety valve assembly carried by said device, the said: bellows assembly being subject to pressure conditions created by a liquid accumulated' inV said shot ho1e the said electric circuit maker and breaker being connected with said bellows, whereby upon movement of said bellows by a pressure condition within said well, the same will expand and the well pumping operating mechanism will be initiated by means of operation of said adjustable circuit maker and breaker and accumulated liquidv pumped from the shot. hole.

5. A device for controlling well pumping operating mechanism including the usual well casing and. tubing, sucker rods and valves, all disposed in a conventional manner within awell which includes a shot hole and pocket therebelow and connected therewith, andalso the pumping operating mechanism including `an electrical circuit, the device being positioned in the pocketl below the said shot hole and having a pipe connection extending outwardly of the topV of the. well and substantially paralleling the tubing within the well, a safety valve positioned in and carried by the said device, said device being exposed to pres- Vsure conditions occasioned; by the accumulation of a liquid in the shot hole of the well; the device also including a circuit maker; and breaker electrically connected in the said. circuit, whereby when the valve is closedA due to pressure conditions within the well, the switch will energize the electrical circuit and the well pumping operatingv mechanism will perform its pumping functionV to pump the liquid'from the well, and in the absence oi a liquid within the shot hole of. the well, the said pumping operating mechanism will be inoperative.

6. A device for controlling opening and closing of' a circuit for an electrically operated apparatus comprising a casing adapted to be mounted vertically and immersedr in a column of liquid subject to variations in depth and' consequent pressures, a switch in saidcasing, a mounting member in said casingv formed. with a vertical bore and with a valve seat about the lower end thereof, a bellows mounted. uponA said mounting member and having its lower end open and cornmunicating with said bore, a-cap-closing the upper end of the bellows, a valve movable upwardly to a closed position against the valve seat and having a stem passing vertically through the bore and the bellows and fixed to the cap.- andl projecting upwardly therefrom and engageable with the switch to close the switch when the stem is shifted upwardly by expansion of the bellows and the valve is thereby seated against the valve seat, the valve when engaged with the valve seat sealing the lower end of the bore and thereby limiting increase of liquid pressures in the bellows to which the bellows is subjected.

7. A device for controlling opening and closing of a circuit for electrically operated apparatus comprising a casing adapted to be entirely immersed in a body of liquid subject to variations in depth andconsequent pressures, a switch in said casing, actuating mechanism for said switch mounted in said casing and including a stem shiftable upwardly and downwardly in the casing and having its lower portion passing through a bore at the bottom of the casing, a vertically expansible and contractable pressure influenced member in said. casing surrounding said stem and having its upper end closed and xed to the stem,

the lower end: of the pressure influenced member being rigidly secured about the bore and communicating with the body of liquid through the bore whereby increase in depth and consequent pressure of the liquid will distend the pressure influenced member and move the stem upwardly and close the switch, a valve member carried by said stem and moving upwardly therewith into closing relation to the bore to isolate liquid in the pressure iniiuenced member from the body of liquid as the switch is closed and prevent further distention of the pressure inuenced member, and spring means for collapsing the pressure influenced member downwardly and thereby shifting the stem downwardly to open the switch and the valve as pressure of the body of liquid is reduced by lowering the level of the liquidtoa predetermined level.

8. A device for controlling opening and closing oi a circuit for electrically operated apparatus comprising a casing adapted to be mounted vertically and immersed in a body of liquid subject to variations in depth and consequent pressures, a switch, mechanism for opening and closing the switch including a stem shiftable upwardly and downwardly in the casing, a pressure influenced means in said casing connected with: said stem and having an open lower end communicating with the body of liquid whereby the pressure influenced means is responsive to variationsl in pressure of the liquid and moves the stem in a direction to close the switch as pressure of the liquid increases, and a valve connected with said stem and moved thereby into position to shut oi communication between the pressure influenced means and the body of liquid and thereby isolate liquid in the pressure iniiuenced means from effects of increasing pressures of the body of liquid outside the casing after the switch is closed.

9. A device for controlling opening and closing of a circuit for electrically operated apparatus comprising a casing adapted to be immersed in a body of liquid subject to Variations in depth and consequent pressures, a switch, mechanism for opening and closing the switch including a stem shiftable upwardly and downwardly in the casing, a bellows in said casing connected with said stem and having an open lower end communicating with the body of liquid whereby the bellows is distende-ble in response to variations in pressure of the liquid and moves the stern in a direction to close the switch as depth and resultant pressure of the liquid increases, and. a valve for shutting off communicationv between liquid in the bellows and the body of liquid, said valve being connected with the bellows and actuated by expansion and contraction of the bellows and being thereby moved to its closed position in response to expansion of the bellows and closing of the switch.

lo. A device for controlling opening and closing of a circuit for electrically operated apparatus comprising a casing adapted to be immersed in a body of liquid subject to variations in depth and consequent pressures, a switch for said circuit, mechanism for closing and opening the switch including an actuating bellows mounted in the casing and having an open end in communication with the body of liquid whereby liquid filling the bellows may cause expansion of the bellows and thereby effect closing of the switch as the depth and resulting pressure of the body of liquid increases, and a valve operatively associated with the bellows and movable thereby during expansion of the bellows to a closed position shutting oi communication between liquid in the bellows and the body of liquid outside the casing when the switch is closed and thus limiting expansive force applied to the bellows by pressure of the body of liquid.

l1. A device for controlling opening and closing of a circuit for electrically operated apparatus comprising a casing adapted to be immersed in a body of liquid subject to variations in depth and consequent pressures, a switch for said circuit, operating means for said switch including a bellows in said casing having an open end communicating with a passage through the casing, which passage has an outer end communicating with the body of liquid in which the casing is immersed whereby a portion of the liquid may enter the bellows through the passage and pressure exerted by the liquid in the casing expands the bellows and thereby effect closing of the switch as pressure of the liquid is increased in response to increasing depth of the liquid, and means for closing the passage actuated by expansion of the bellows and moved thereby to a closed position as the switch is closed and thus limit the amount of pressure which may be applied by liquid within the casing to the bellows during increasing depth of the liquid externally of the casing.

12. A device for controlling an electrically actuated pump-operating mechanism comprising a casing adapted to be submerged vertically in a body of fluid subject to variations in depth and consequent pressures, said casing having an inlet and a valve seat associated therewith, a spring loaded valve movable inwardly of said casing to a closed position against the valve seat and urge outwardly to an open position, a pressure responsive member in said casing enclosing the inlet and connected with the valve and serving to shift the valve to a closed position against the valve seat when the pressure responsive member is extended away from the inlet by increasing pressure of the uid in response to increasing depth of the iiuid and thereby limiting increase of pressure upon the pressure responsive member, nd a circuit for the pump-operating mechanism including a stationary contact in the casing and a movable contact connected with the spring loaded valve and moved into circuit-closing engagement with the stationary contact when tho valve is closed.

13. A device for controlling an electrically actuated pump-operating mechanism comprising a casing adapted to be submerged vertically in a body of liquid subject to variations in depth and consequent pressures, said casing having an inlet and a valve seat associated therewith, a spring loaded valve movable inwardly of said casing to a closed position against the valve seat and urged outwardly to an open position, a pressure responsive member in said casing enclosing the inner end of the inlet and connected with the valve and serving to shift the valve to a closed position against the valve seat when the pressure responsive member is extended away from the inlet by increasing pressure of the liquid in response to increasing depth of the liquid and thereby limiting increase of pressure upon the pressure responsive member, and a circuit for the pump-operating mechanism including a stationary Contact in the casing and a movable Contact connected with the said spring loaded valve and moved into circuit-closing engagement with the stationary Contact when the valve is closed.

14. A device for controlling opening and closing of a switch for the circuit of a motor for a well pumping operating mechanism and which device is unitary in character, and as such, inserted vertically in a well and immersed in liquid in the well and subject to the pressure conditions within the well, the said device including a casing having an inlet, a spring loaded valve in the casing yieldably held open, the valve including a valve stern carrying a valve member, a seat for said valve member, a bellows concentrically disposed about said valve stem and exposed to the compressive forces of said spring for holding the valve open, a switch actuating member carried by said bellows, a pressure tube carried by the said device and enclosing a liquid that is in contact with the said bellows interiorly thereof, the said pressure tube being subject to the pressures within a well and eiecting expansion` of said bellows for expanding the same and imparting movement to the valve and its stem for closing `the valve at a predetermined pressure and simultaneously closing the switch and thereby causing the motor of the pump operating mechanism to be set in motion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 

